Mr. Hayes maintains more than 30 years of defense experience, and has regularly appeared before a variety of state and federal courts in West Virginia and Kentucky. Mr. Hayes has served as lead responsible counsel for numerous bench and jury trials. In addition, Mr. Hayes has often appeared before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, as well as the U.S. Fourth and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeals.

Mr. Hayes represents a variety of clients across several industries including large and small manufacturers, oil and gas companies, distributors, service providers and trucking companies.

Prior to joining Robinson & McElwee in 2002, Mr. Hayes served as counsel for the West Virginia House of Delegates Judiciary Committee. Mr. Hayes’ other prior experience includes time managing his own firm and service with other West Virginia defense firms.

Mr. Hayes maintains a broad, defense-oriented practice with a focus on product liability, including asbestos, chemical exposure and other forms of complex litigation. He currently serves as Vice President for the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia, the state's largest defense counsel organization.

Away from the office, Mr. Hayes serves his alma mater Marshall University as a member of the Board of Directors for the Marshall University Alumni Association and volunteers for various committees affiliated with business and professional development. He also enjoys spending time as a certified high school and middle soccer referee.

Responsible counsel for defense of litigation involving products liability, toxic tort, wrongful death and serious injury, as well as employment and discrimination matters.

Lead trial counsel in numerous bench and jury trials in various state and federal courts in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.

Managed defense of mass filings and class actions in asbestos and complex chemical exposure cases for major corporate clients, and has served as defense liaison counsel at the request of presiding courts in mass litigation.

Lead counsel for prosecution and defense of appellate matters before the United States’ Fourth and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

Counsel for West Virginia House of Delegates Judiciary Committee, 2002 term.